Nani expects to return to Manchester United after Sporting Lisbon loan

Nani has netted eight goals this season having returned to Sporting.Getty Images

Manchester United winger Nani wants the opportunity to prove his worth at Old Trafford under Louis van Gaal after revealing the club want him to return following his loan spell at Sporting Lisbon.

Nani has scored eight goals in 20 appearances in all competitions this term in a timely return to form for the 28-year-old, whose career in the Premier League had finished.

But the Portugal international says United want him to return to the club at the end of his season-long loan spell, which could lead to him taking a place in the first team from the beginning of next term.

"The club know my value and I know they want me to stay," he said. "It was me who made the choice to leave the club, and it was a good decision by me because I knew if I stayed one more season at Old Trafford it would be very hard for me.

"I just need someone to believe in me, trust me and my qualities and give me an opportunity to show them on the pitch.

"It's an experience I wanted a lot and needed as well, because [in] the last two seasons at Manchester United I had so many injuries and I was very upset with a lot of things that happened to me.

"I was missing my family and friends and I wanted something new. The only opportunity I had to be happy, and Manchester United to be happy as well, was this one."

Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Adnan Januzaj have struggled to hold down a regular first-team place in the United team and Van Gaal could yet turn to Nani to solve his dilemma in the wide positions from next season.

Sir Alex Ferguson signed Nani the summer of 2007, along with Brazilian Anderson from FC Porto. However neither player has settled during eight seasons in English football.